Steaming off to Ayutthaya to celebrating 125 years of rail travel in Thailand
A special steam train pulled out of Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong railway station for Ayutthaya on Saturday morning March 26th to mark the State Railway of Thailand (SRT)’s 125th anniversary.
The Transport Ministry is considering such special train trips from the iconic Hua Lamphong station after Bangkokians protested against plans to shut it down late last year. The ministry’s aim is to turn the new Bang Sue Grand Station into the capital’s main train station.
This journey celebrated SRT’s 125th anniversary since its foundation by royal decree of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1897. The steam train departed Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok at 8.10am and arrived at Ayutthaya station around 10.25am. Passengers were given six hours to visit attractions in Ayutthaya province, before the train left for Bangkok at 4.40pm, arriving at Hua Lamphong at 6.55pm. The train also stopped at Samsen, Bang Sue, Laksi, Donmueang, and Rangsit to pick up/let off passengers.
Since such special train trips have received a good response in the past. The State Railway of Thailand plan to have steam trains pull out of Hua Lamphong station every year for six special occasions, namely:
• March 26: SRT Foundation Day (Bangkok-Ayutthaya)
• June 3: HM Queen Suthida’s birthday (Bangkok-Nakhon Pathom)
• July 28: King Rama X’s birthday (Bangkok-Ayutthaya)
• August 12: HM Queen Sirikit’s birthday and Mother’s Day (Bangkok-Chachoengsao)
• October 23: King Chulalongkorn Memorial Day (Bangkok-Ayutthaya)
• December 5: King Rama IX’s birthday and National Father’s Day (Bangkok-Chachoengsao).
Article from The Nation, Thailand, Mon 28 March 2022
Photos show Loco 824 steaming off to Ayutthaya
Guidepost Tours has packages which include journeys on Thailand’s immaculately preserved steam locos on special holidays throughout the year. Contact Guidepost Tours our office for details.
